Eco–Navitas alliance boosts South Africa’s Orange basin exploration momentum

Eco Atlantic has entered into a strategic partnership with Navitas Petroleum that could advance exploration across South Africa’s Orange basin and strengthen investor interest in the region’s emerging offshore play. The agreement, signed Dec. 3, grants Navitas exclusive farm-in options for Block 1 CBK offshore South Africa and the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana. 

Under the terms, Navitas has six months to exercise a $4 million option to take operatorship and acquire up to a 47.5% working interest in Block 1 CBK, where Eco currently holds a 75% operated stake through subsidiary Azinam South Africa. Eco would be fully carried through the exploration program under a gross $15 million carry.

Block 1 CBK sits within the Orange basin, which has drawn heightened industry attention following recent discoveries offshore Namibia. Early-stage opportunities in the basin still require significant technical and financial commitments, and the partnership signals renewed confidence in the area’s long-term potential.

The agreement also outlines possible Navitas participation in Eco’s wider African portfolio, including offshore Namibia’s PEL 97, 99 and 100 and South Africa’s Block 3B/4B. This could support a more coordinated approach to exploration across several frontier licenses.

Regional industry groups say increased upstream activity could help South Africa pursue energy security goals, reduce reliance on imports and expand domestic supply. The partnership structure, which includes carried interests for Eco, reflects a growing trend of financing frameworks designed to support smaller independents in high-impact drilling programs.

“This partnership is a strong vote of confidence in South Africa’s upstream potential," said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC). "Eco Atlantic has been a committed explorer for more than a decade, and Navitas brings technical excellence and financial capacity that can accelerate drilling and unlock long-awaited exploration activity. This is exactly the type of collaboration Africa needs – bold, well-funded, and focused on execution.” 

Eco Atlantic and Navitas plan to advance technical work ahead of potential drilling decisions, with regulatory approvals still required.